Topic: What to purchase next?
Hi All,
Apologies for posting what may seem like a fairly straightforward question to some, but I could do with some advice on how to expand my current set up and/or upgrade. I feel my understanding of the options is quite limited, so looking for some possible different options.
I'm currently running a FireFace 400 on Windows 10 Desktop and Cubase 6.5. I'm perfectly happy with the device itself, and it's the one piece of kit that seems to never have any issues (Windows 10 and Cubase on the other hand are not always my friend when it comes to stability!).
I also purchased a 2020 iPad Pro 12" and have a macbook Pro, which i use mainly for work but also has Logic 10 installed (but haven't used in anger). But I'd like to explore utilising these more for mobile recording rather than trailing cables around the house and/or shifting my PC set-up. I record a mixture of instruments, acoustic piano, vocals, acoustic guitar and violin. Most of the time it is just me - but changes in circumstances and having more space now may give me options of recording groups further down the line (when social distancing lifts - at the moment it is definitely a 1 man band!)
After going round the houses and looking at cheaper USB interfaces that I can capture a couple of mic/line inputs into, I am reluctant to buy something that i may regret further down the line that may not have the quality/ flexibility that I need - particularly on the mic pres. I previously nearly pulled the trigger on a MOTU 828es, but had a niggle in the back of my mind that it wasn't the way to go, and also I am somewhat reluctant move away from Totalmix. Also, I do a great deal of work with virtual instruments (mainly orchestral libraries) and latency is really key for me here - hence purchasing the FF400 in the first instance.
So...what am I looking for.
1. Something with at least 2 XLR inputs and 2 Line inputs
2. Ability to expand number of mic inputs (relatively easily - I imagine I would need no more than 12 in any scenario)
3. I often use spdif (coax) for a number of older devices that I capture from
4. I would love the ability to record directly to my ipad and macbook (and if at all possible, my android phone at a push). without the hassle of firing up a PC.
5. I like my FireFace 400 - so any options I have around using this in addition to another device simultaneously would be great (an extra spdif input would be useful as well as the extra mic pres).
6. Class Compliant mode seems to be something I am definitely going to need, and therefore USB is a must.
I get that this sort of puts me in the ballpark of a Babyface Pro FS or perhaps a UCX, but wondering what others think. Are there other options I am missing?
Thank you in advance,
Paul